Meteorologist Salary Range

Have you ever sat in front of a television watching the weather and wonder how much does the weatherman earn for just reading the temperature? It might be shocking to know that the annual earning of a meteorologist in 2002 was $60, 200. During the 1990s a meteorologist with some sort of bachelor degree began with an earning of $15, 000-$18, 000, with a masters degree earned $20, 000 and with a doctorate degree earned $30, 000. But now a Meteorologist with a master degree begins with $35, 519 or $42, 97 and with a Ph.D. earns $51, 508. The salaries differ in different parts of the country.

By now you're probably thinking it�'s a waste of money to give such a salary to meteorologist for just reading the numbers on the television screen when you can just do that yourself. But the weather has lots of affect on our lives and its good to be informed. For instance, we should be aware when there is a drought because it results in water shortage, increased wildfire potential, and crop damage. A meteorologist provides us with the weather from local weather observers, balloons, satellites and weather stations all over the world. They have to measure the air pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and the amount of precipitation in order to inform us about the weather.

Meteorologist, usually tend to specialize in one area such as: radio, television and also work in government agencies, private consulting, research services, industrial enterprises, utilities and in education to provide us either with short or long range weather forecasts. Most stations are in airports or large cities and also isolated areas.

Meteorologists gather information about the weather daily, from satellites, radars, remote sensors and other observers. As you can tell it isn't an easy job but can be exciting and definitely pays well. Meteorologists, who were employed by the Federal Government in 2003, received an average salary of approximately $74, 528 and didn't matter if they had a nonsupervisory, supervisory or managerial position. The job is still the same and day-by-day technology is making it lot easier also the salary is increasing as the years go by.

"Median annual earnings of atmospheric scientists in 2002 were $60, 200. The middle 50 percent earned between $39, 970 and $76, 880. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30, 220, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $92, 430."

"The average salary for meteorologists in nonsupervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions employed by the Federal Government was about $74, 528 in 2003. Meteorologists in the Federal Government with a bachelors degree and no experience received a starting salary of $23, 442 or $29, 037, depending on their college grades. Those with a masters degree could start at $35, 519 or $42, 976; those with the Ph.D., at $51, 508. Beginning salaries for all degree levels are slightly higher in areas of the country where the prevailing local pay level is higher."

$23, 442–$92, 430

"Persons entering federal government service as National Weather Service meteorologists with bachelor's degrees and no experience begin at the GS 5-7 level, with annual salaries starting at $19, 520 to $24, 178. Graduates with master's degrees start at the GS 7-9 level, ranging from $24, 178 to $29, 577 per year. Those with doctorates start at the GS 9-11 level, offering annual starting salaries ranging from $29, 577 to $35, 786. The top level for meteorologists with the NWS is at the GS 13 level, which starts at $51, 003 annually. In private industry and consulting firms, salaries begin at about the same level but may range much higher. Some consultants and many broadcast personalities earn annual incomes of $120, 000 or more."

$19, 520–$120, 000+

"The salary of a Meteorologist ranges anywhere from 13, 000 dollars to 250, 000 dollars a year. The size of the city you work in would play a factor in your salary. For example, if you want to work in Boardman, Ohio, you would make 60, 650 dollars a year. Whereas, if you worked in New York, New York, you would make more towards the 250, 000 dollars a year …. Now including your benefits, your salary raises to 73, 000 dollars a year. The last benefit is that you get two to four weeks vacation."

$13, 000–$250, 000

Source: hypertextbook.com

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